Is it ever legal to pass on the shoulder?

Passing on the shoulder is generally not permitted because it can lead to dangerous situations for both the driver attempting to pass and other road users. Shoulders are designed for emergency situations, such as allowing vehicles to pull over when experiencing mechanical issues or when needing to stop for safety reasons. By keeping the shoulder clear, drivers ensure that emergency vehicles have access when they need to navigate through traffic quickly.

Allowing any form of passing on the shoulder could disrupt the flow of traffic and create unpredictability, as not all drivers may expect vehicles to be moving beside them on the shoulder. This rule helps maintain a safe driving environment for everyone on the road.